untitled [cornrows] the collection

untitled [cornrows] iteration III

Untitled [cornrows] Iteration III focuses on slavery in the United States of America, roughly between 1776 and 1865... the beginning. In past iterations of this piece, I looked at the entire span of slavery and African American and Black history as a whole. With much deliberation, I came to the understanding that I unintentionally failed to give a voice to so many important and notable periods and events. For weeks blending into months, I read scholarly articles and books, reviewed timelines, and consulted with members of my closely-knit community for a comprehensive understanding of Black history. Upon conducting this research, I realized that I needed to start from the beginning and share the story of slavery in America. 

The material.

Along with researching more about my ancestors and slavery in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, I looked at material. While the ornamentation was essential, the historical context was imperative. I wanted to know what fabrics and textiles were distinctive to that period, and I wanted to understand what slaves wore. I used fabrics such as unbleached muslin, burlap, wool, and raw linen. In doing my research, I learned how the plantation master would pass down old garments they did not use to the indoor help/slaves, and then the remaining scraps/items would go to the slaves that worked the plantation. I wanted to communicate this by incorporating patchwork and vintage garments. I also wanted to feature texture in a meaningful and symbolic manner by including rusted chains, stems of cotton, ceramic grains of rice, and lockets to finish the braid. 

Everything has meaning.

My great-grandmother, Dorothy Louise Watson-Jones, was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, and raising her seven children with her husband (my great-grandfather) Amon Jones. My mother recently told me a story about how my great-grandmother, lovingly nicknamed gran-gran, would travel with her children back to Memphis to visit family during the summer and how they would pick cotton. My gran-gran passed away in February 2024; featuring touches of cotton and lockets with her photo is a reminder that the story I am sharing on slavery and African American history was not very long ago.